Post Surgery DRE reasons

I know there was a thread started recently asking the "why" question about the post surgery DRE. Specifically, the question was why the need when the Prostate had been removed.

At my 3 month checkup, I had a DRE and asked the Doc what the purpose was for the exam. He said it is simply to make sure nothing was growing in the place where the prostate was located. Feel nothing= perfect test; if he senses something there, could be a problem.

Hope that clears the question for others.

My best to all

Will have my first PSA results Wed-Thurs

Age: 56

PSA: 4.1 (first test) 4.2 (second test)

Gleason: 6, cancer found in both sections of prostate

Surgery: Open RP on 5/1/07

Pathology: All contined with the gland, no spread

Catheter out: 5/15/07

Incontinence: at 10 weeks to one pad per day

ED: slowly getting better

First Post-Surgery PSA: set for 8/6/07

Spread the word to men you know or meet: See your doctor. Have a PSA test early.

I had a DRE a few months post op and my urologist found a small nodule. Haven't had another DRE in four years and probably won't unless I have recurrence. My PSA has been <0.1 ever since so I'm not concerned with it. I had a very difficult surgery and there may be some benign tissue left behind. My prostate was 65 grams and malformed. Surgeons don't often tell you if any tissue is left behind. When it is it usually can be found around the bladder neck I'm told. My urologist told me his father had tissue left behind and ithad grown almost completely back and was benign. I'd have o see it to believe it. Maybe he was wanting to reassure me.